Sound box



4 July 9, 1929. c, HlNCKLEY 1.720.515

SOUND BOX Filed June 12. 1926 Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES FRANK C. HINCKLEY, OF STRATFORD,

CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH COMPANY, INC, 013 BRIDGE-PORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION 013 NEW YORK.

SOUND BOX.

Application filed June 12,

This invention relates to talking machines and the like, and has particular reference to the reproducer and method of mountlng the An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting for the sound-box, or reproducer, which mounting entirely insulates the sound-box from the tone-arm.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a talking machine or the like, in which the sound-box is flexibly or yieldably attached to a connector or nipple adapted to be secured to, or in, the tone-arm.

An additional object is to generally improve and simplify the construction of the sound-box proper. Y

lVhile in the accompanying drawing, and

following description, I have shown a satisfactory embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood thatthis is by way of illustration only, and that reference must be had to the appended claims for an exact definition of the limitations of the invention In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a sound-box made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof; and 1 Y Y I i Fig. 3 is a sectional view.

Referring in detail to the drawing,the sound-box comprises a ring 5 having an inwardly extending annular flange 6 at its forward side. The ring proper at its rear edge is in contact with a disc-shaped back 7, which at its outer edge is reduced in thickness to provide a shoulder 8. Ring 5 is of a thickness equalling the Width of the reduced portion of the back, and when these parts are clamped together, the ring fills this space completely and abuts against the annular shoulder 8. Screws or other suitable fasteningmeans 9 are usedto secure the back to the ring. When the ring and back are secured together, there is the correct space between the back and the flange 6 for any suitable gaskets 10 which support a diaphragm 11. This diaphragm maybe of any suitable construction, but is, preferably, shaped substantiallyi like that shown, andis of very thin meta 1 1926. Serial N0. 115,506.

Disposed over the forward face of the sound-box is a guard or cover 12, having an open design cut therein so as to permit free movementof the atmosphere during the reproducing operation when the diaphragm is being vibrated by means of a needle arm 13, which is pivotally mounted betwen screws or other means 14 carried by lugs 15, formed with, or secured to the sound-box. This needle arm is, as usual, provided wit-h. a thumb screw 16' for binding a stylus point or needle 16 therein. I The guard or cover 12 is cut away at its lower edge so as to span the lugs 15, as best shown in Figl. Screws or other fastening means 17 connect the cover 12 with the ring 5. V

A shallow cup-like member-18 is disposed on the back of the reproducer, and-includes a plate 19 having an Y annular upstanding flange 20. A soft rubber gasket 21, of oonsiderable thickness, is disposed partly within the member 18, and screws 22 hold the gasket in place. The gasket is provided with inner and outer annular beads 23 and 2 1, which project beyond each of its surfaces, as best shown in Fig. 2.

Bushings 25 surround the screws 22 and extend through the gasket and contact with the plate 19 of the member 18 when the screws are driven home. When so driven, the heads of the screws are in contact with the exposed ends of the bushings although such heads project beyond the bushings and contact with the gasket. The inward movement of the screws is limited by the bushings. The heads of the screws are countersunk. Asshown, the screws are threaded into the back of the sound-box, and into the member 18, and with the bushings serve tohold the member 18 to the back of the sound-box. Y

However, if it is desired, this member 18 I may also be sweated or otherwise secured to the back. a

Disposed on the opposite side of the gasket 21 is a coupling member 26, including a connecting portion or nipple 27 and a flat portion 28 having an annular flange 29 forming a shallow cup-like member adapted to embrace a portion of the outer periphery of the gas ket; This coupling member is'secured to the gasket by means of screws 30' and bushings bushings 31. Then, as a unit, this structure is secured to the member 18 and the entire assembly is attached to the back of the soundbOX. Otherwise, themember 18 may first be secured to the back of the sound-box and the gasket 21 and coupling 26, as a unit, secured to it. Openings 32 are formed in'the part 28 of member 26to admit of the insertion of a screw driver for securing screws 22 in the assembling operation.

In view of the fact that the gasket is formed of soft rubber, the bushings have a special significance, in that they prevent the thread ing of the screws into and through the back of the sound-box in such a way as to pull their heads through the gasket. lVithout the bushings, this would be possible in View of the softness of the gasket.

The annular ribs or beads, 23 and 24, formed on the gasket, effectively seal the space between the coupling 26 and the member 18 and prevent any leakage of sound. This is due to the fact that'should therebe any compressing of the rubber the force will be taken up in the ribs" or beads. Moreover, these ribs or beads maintain the major portion of the gasket spaced from the members 18 and 26 and in this way prevent the heads of screws 22 and 30 from coming into contact with the parts 19 and 28 respectively, during the vibrationof the device, and in this manner setting up a rattling or other metallic sound.

V Flanges, and 29 ofmembers 18 and 26 serve to distribute and render harmless any lateral pull on the members. Oth rwise, such pull or force would of necessity be taken care of by the heads of the screws 22 and 30 and in a short timethe holes in the gasket would be so enlarged that the heads of the screws would pass through them. In this function, the annular flanges are materially aided by the bushings which surround the screws.

The sound-box carries stops designed to limit movement of the stylus or needle arm. Excessive movement of this arm is apt to result in the fracture or breakage oi? the diaphragm. These stops comprise a pair of pins 33 and 34 disposed above and below the pivot point of the stylus arm and secured in cars 35 which are carried by the plate 36 that supports the mounting means for the stylus arm.

This plate may be sweatedor otherwise secured to the-ringb. The pins 33 and 34 are adJusted to within a few 'thousandths oi an the space between them, screws connecting said gasket to one of said members, other screws connecting said gasket to the other of said nem ers, bushings disposed about said screws and in contact with said respective 'members and with the heads of the screws to limit the pressure that may be'exerted on the gasket by the screws. V

2. Means for connecting a sound-box to a tone-arm, the same comprising a pair of shallow cup-like members, a connecting nipple carried by one or said members, a gasket disposed between said members and extending I partly into each of them and filling the space between them, screws connecting said gasket to one of said members, other screws connecting said gasket to'the' other of sald members,

and said last-mentioned screws also operable to secure the other of said members to the back of asound-box.

3. Means for connecting a sound-box to, a tone-arm, the same comprising a. pair of members each including a plate havin an annular flange, a'conne'cting nipple carried by one of said members and projecting in a direction opposite to thetlange of said member, said members being arranged with their flanges directed toward each other, a soft rubber gasket disposed between said members and ex tending into each of them in'snug engagementwith said annular flanges, means securing *the gasket to said members and said gasket holding said members in spaced relation. v

4. Means for connecting a sound-box to a tone-arm, the same coinprisingamember including plate having an annular upstanding flange, gasket of resilient material, said member adapted tov partially receive said gasket with its flange snugly engaging the same, a second member including a plate having an ann'ularflange directedv towardsthe flange of said first-mentioned member, said second member adapted to receive a portion of the remainder of said gasketand'have its flange snugly engage the same, a connecting nipple carried by said second-mentioned member, iastening'meansto connect the gas ket'to the first-mentioned member, said fastoning means also operable to secure said member to the backo't a soundbox, other fastoning means connecting said gasket to the econd-intentioned member, and bushings disposed aboutlsaid fastening means and in contact with said respective members and fastening means to limit the pressure exerted on the gasket by the fastening means.

5. Means for connecting a sound-box to a tone-arm, the same comprising a pair of shallow cup-like members each including an annular flange a connecting nipple carried by one of said members and projecting in a direction opposite to the flange of said member. a soft rubber gasket arranged between said members and extending into each. of them in snug engagement with their annular flanges, and means securing the gasket to said members, said gasket holding said members in spaced relation.

6. Means for connecting a sound-box to a tone-arm, the same comprising a pair of shallow cup-like members each lnClllClHlg an annular flange, a connecting nipple carried by i one of said members and projecting in a direction opposite to the flange of said member,

a rubber gasket disposed between and eXtend- I ing partly into each of said members in snug engagement with their annular fianges, means securing said gasket to one of said members and separate means securing the gasket to the other of said members. 

